Advance scouting the Buffalo Bills

DAVIE - Time is an issue with the quick turnaround for Thursday night's nationally televised game, and it appears time will also be a major factor that likely determines who wins the game.

A quick analysis of the Buffalo Bills (3-6) reveals time of possession could give the Miami Dolphins (4-5) the edge.

The Bills have a potent offense, one that is driven by its quick-hitting rushing attack, but the defense has plenty of holes Miami can exploit if they can protect Ryan Tannehill and get the ground game going again.

The Bill statistically have the second worst defense in the NFL, giving up 410 yards per game.

Buffalo's defense is allowing 6.2 yards per play, which is the fourth worst average in the NFL.

Opposing teams are averaging 7.6 yards per passing attempt, which has the Bills ranked ninth in that category.

The Bills have allowed 29 passes of 20-plus yards, and have given up a cumulative quarterback rating of 96.8, which is the sixth worst in the NFL.

Buffalo has allowed 18 touchdown passes. Only four teams have allowed more this season. The Bills have also pulled in just six interceptions, and three of them belong to safety Jarius Byrd (46 tackles, three forced fumbles, three interceptions)....

From a rushing standpoint Buffalo's 4-3 defense, which is led by former Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt, is allowing 5.5 yards per carry, which is the NFL's worst average.

The Bills have also allowed 16 rushing touchdowns, which is also the NFL's worst. Buffalo has allowed an NFL high of 14 20-plus runs in nine games, and the quick turnaround might be physically challenging for the Bills' aged defensive linemen.

On the flipside, the Bills possess one of the NFL's best rushing attacks courtesy of Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller, one of the most potent duos in the league.

Spiller leads the team with 632 rushing yards and a 7.3 yards per carry average.

Buffalo is averaging 5.3 yards per carry (ranked second) and 143.1 rushing yards per game (ranked sixth). But the Bills have only scored seven rushing touchdowns, which hints they struggle punching it in for touchdowns in the red zone.

The Bills are averaging 358.7 yards of offense per game (ranks Buffalo 15th), and are converting 42 percent of third downs this season.

But if you look deeper into the numbers you'll see there's the potential for more. Buffalo averages 5.8 yards per play, makes the Bills the seventh most efficient offense in the league from a yardage standpoint.

The issue Buffalo is apparently having centers around short-circuiting in the red zone, and turnovers (minus-10 on the season)....

Starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is completing 62.5 percent of his passes and has thrown 17 touchdowns with just 10 interceptions.

Fitzpatrick, who typically makes quick decisions on his three and five-step drop throws, getting the ball out his hands, has a 87.5 quarterback rating. He's only been sacked 15 times this season, which is once every 19.7 passing attempt.

That means blitzes likely won't be effective, and coverage in the secondary will be critical.

Steve Johnson, who has caught 41 passes for 502 yards and scored four touchdowns, is his favorite target. Sean Smith has had success defending him in past games. Having Smith shadow Johnson would be ideal.

Buffalo's tailbacks have caught 57 passes this season. That accounts for 30 percent of all completions, which means Miami's linebackers - Kevin Burnett, Karlos Dansby and Koa Misi - will be under attack.

From a special teams standpoint, kicker Rian Lindell has only missed one of his 10 field goals this season. Punt returner Leodis McKelvin is averaging 19.5 yards per punt return.